Adobe Photoshop keyboard shortcuts
This searchable reference lists the Photoshop shortcuts that designers and photo editors reach for every day, with the correct keys for both macOS and Windows. It covers the single-letter tool keys, layer and selection commands, transforms, and the common adjustment and filter shortcuts.
How it works
Photoshop assigns most tools a single letter — V for Move, B for Brush,
P for Pen — and presses with Shift cycle through grouped tools. Modifier
combinations using Command (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows), plus Option/Alt and Shift,
drive layers, selections and adjustments. Pick your operating system at the top,
type a tool name or action to filter, and each row shows the exact key
combination for that platform.
The most time-saving shortcuts by category
Tools (single key)
| Tool | Key | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Move | V | Hold to temporarily switch from any tool |
| Marquee (Rectangular) | M | Shift+M for Elliptical |
| Lasso | L | Shift+L for Polygonal and Magnetic |
| Quick Select / Magic Wand | W | |
| Crop | C | |
| Eyedropper | I | |
| Brush | B | |
| Clone Stamp | S | |
| Eraser | E | |
| Gradient | G | |
| Pen | P | |
| Type | T | |
| Zoom | Z |
Layers
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| New layer | Cmd Shift N | Ctrl Shift N |
| Duplicate layer/selection | Cmd J | Ctrl J |
| Merge visible layers to new layer | Cmd Opt Shift E | Ctrl Alt Shift E |
| Group layers | Cmd G | Ctrl G |
| Ungroup | Cmd Shift G | Ctrl Shift G |
Selection and transform
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Deselect | Cmd D | Ctrl D |
| Reselect | Cmd Shift D | Ctrl Shift D |
| Invert selection | Cmd Shift I | Ctrl Shift I |
| Free Transform | Cmd T | Ctrl T |
| Fill with foreground | Opt Delete | Alt Backspace |
| Fill with background | Cmd Delete | Ctrl Backspace |
Notes
If a shortcut does nothing, check that the right panel or tool is active — some keys only apply while editing a layer, a selection or text. If you have customized shortcuts under Edit then Keyboard Shortcuts, your assignments may differ from this reference. Everything in this reference runs entirely in your browser; nothing you search is uploaded.